The honor to close the first Smederevo festival “Fortress Music” went to the indisputable stars of Serbian jazz — “Balkan Salsa Bend”, led by jazz legend, Jovan Maljoković, a renowned Belgrade saxophonist, composer and arranger. Here is the line-up who came with him in Smederevo:

Goran Potić, guitar…

Nemanja Banović, trumpet…

Ivan Ilić, keyboards…

Slaviša Pavlović — Stanley, bass guitar…

Miodrag Gino Maljoković, drums…

Andjelka Simić, vocal…

And the master himself, chief of the orchestra, Jovan Maljoković, sax and the voice on the stage.

Jelena Teunisz, vocal, was absent from the band this time.

Jovan Maljoković, a famous Belgrade saxophone player, composer and arranger, founed his “Balkan Salsa Band“ almost thirty years ago, and since then they are representing Serbia at jazz festivals all over the World. From the very beginning, as a composer, arranger and player, Maljoković has used Balkan folk music for his jazz compositions. So far he has had ten CDs released, the first one was in 1985…

In the last few years “Balkan Salsa Band” has performed at Rottweil Jazz Festival (Germany), Festivals of Cultures in Luxembourg and Vienna, Django Reinhardt International Jazz Festival in Samois, Montreux Jazz Festival, etc. Jovan Maljoković “Balkan Salsa Band” also has performed in Athens, representing Serbia at the Olympic Games 2004.

Maljoković is one of the founders and art director of one of the most important festivals in Serbia – Valjevo Jazz Fest. This festival has a tradition of 35 years and until recently, it was known for hosting a top domestic jazz artists, while opening the door to jazz musicians from all over the world..

How to easily recognize an extremely successful concert? Simple. Always seems it was far too short!

But if you want more, there is a part of it at the link below…